Agoraphobia often accompanies another anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder or a specific phobia. If it occurs with panic disorder, it usually starts in a person's 20s, and women are affected more often than men.

The goal of treatment is to help you function effectively. The success of treatment usually depends on the severity of the phobia.

Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias. You are asked to relax, then imagine the things that cause the anxiety, working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Gradual exposure to the real-life situation also been used with success to help people overcome their fears.

Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications are often used to help relieve the symptoms of phobias.

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